Ranch Stay in Canada

Experience the vast openness of Canadian Marlboro country and be part of a local farming family. Ranchstay is for the cowboy/cowgirl at heart looking to spend some time on a ranch or farm away from all the bright lights and big cities.

Ranchstay is for people looking to learn something about the community where they are placed and farming in general. Ranchstay gives participants the chance to become involved with family activities. Candidates can use all facilities of the farm, i.e. riding their horses, driving the tractor etc.

The program is not only about farming; it is a cultural exchange program where candidates get a real inside of Canadian culture, mentality etc. The family takes candidates along when they visit neighbors, when they do their grocery shopping or when they go to events like rodeos, community festivals.

DURATION: 4-24 weeks. (8-12 weeks recommended)

LOCATION: Placements are on small, family run farms in VERY remote and rural areas of Alberta, Saskatchewan, British Columbia. Other provinces may be available upon request. Placement location is entirely at the discretion of our partner.

AVAILABLE FARM TYPES:

• Horse farms (Breeding farm/Training farm, Horse boarding farm, farm with horses)
• Guest ranch (involves more household chores)
• Cattle ranch
• Alpaca farm
• Vineyards
• Sheep farm
• Mixed farm
• More farm types available upon request

CANDIDATE’S OBJECTIVES:

• Learn about Canadian culture
• Improve language skills
• Learn about farming in general
• Be involved with a Canadian family 24/7
• Get to know the Canadian country side
• Improve horsemanship skills (for candidates that are on a horse farm) or farming skills in general

CANDIDATE’S PROFILE:

We are looking for people who are outgoing, flexible, hard working, physically fit, good at communicating with others and who really want to be in Canada. Some placements require a certain skill set but some do not.

FAQ’s for Ranchstay Program:

1. Where will I undertake my placement?
   On a farm in rural areas of British Columbia, Alberta or Saskatchewan.
2. 
    
3. How far is it from Vancouver to the farm communities?
   We have a range of farms ranging from 10 hours to 20 hours away.
   
    
4. How do I get to the farm?
   You will be given a choice on how you want to get to the farm. You can catch the bus (average cost is about $170 CAD) or you can fly.
   
    
5. Can I request a certain type of farm?
   Yes, you can certainly tell us your preferences, however, bear in mind that some farms are very popular. All positions have minimum requirements based on English level, experience, attitude, availability, medical conditions, start dates and length of commitment.
    
6. What kind of people are you looking for?
   We are looking for people who are outgoing, flexible, hard working, good at communicating with others and who really want to be in Canada. Some placements require a certain skill set but some do not. Positions on a horse farm usually require horseback riding experience.
    
7. What will I do?
   We will organize a stay with a family based on your preferences and your personal goals as well as the time of year and type of farm you are interested in staying on. You will become a part of the family and join in all of their personal activities including animal grooming, riding horses, cleaning stalls, trips to town, rodeos, community events, dinner with family members, hiking, gardening, kayaking, etc.
    
8. Can I go with a friend or partner?
   Yes you can. We have a lot of success with friends/partners getting placements on the same farm. Please do be prepared, though, that it’s not guaranteed.
    
9. What happens if I am not offered a placement?
   You will be given a full refund for the costs associated to Canada. (This does not include airfares or any other incurred expenses not related to our services.)
    
10. What if I am offered a placement I don't want?
    Unfortunately, if you do not wish to accept it then you will forfeit your program fee.
     
11. What if I accept the placement but do not like it?
    You can write to us and explain the situation. If there is a valid reason for wanting to change locations we will send you a ‘request for change form’. Once we receive the form the placement search will begin. When a suitable position has been found then we will inform your current host farm. Only then can you move location. Replacement is not guaranteed!
     
12. What temperatures can I expect during the season?
    Canadian summers are typically rather mild. Temperatures may reach 30 degree Celsius but on average, it is about 25 degrees. Canadian Winters can be very cold. Temperatures may reach – 30 degrees Celsius but the average temperature is about -10 degrees Celsius in most farm locations.
     
13. Will I need to take out travel insurance?
    It is compulsory for all foreign applicants to purchase travel insurance covering them for the duration of their stay in Canada. You may be asked at port of entry to show a proof.

INCLUSIONS

• Placement includes food and board on the ranch. Farm profile will be sent prior to arrival in Canada
• Participants are given access to a telephone and laundry facilities on the farm
• Bedding and towels will be provided
• Canada orientation (only for candidates that arrive in Vancouver)
• Arranging itinerary to the farm
• Mail-holding service
• 24 hour emergency number
• Ongoing service and trouble shooting

OPTIONAL SERVICES

• Language Training in Vancouver or Toronto
• Homestay in Vancouver
• Accommodation in Staff-House Vancouver
• Hostel Package incl. breakfast, 1 year hostel membership (worldwide) with various discounts and free internet minutes
• Airport “Meet and Greet” in Vancouver and transfer to Homestay family, hostel or Staff-House
• Organizing and booking of trips (Rockies, Whistler, Vancouver Island etc.)

ADDITIONAL EXPENSES

• Travel expenses to and from the farm (between $150 – 250 one way)
• Pocket money

REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be physically fit
• Must not have any allergies or medical conditions
• Must be willing to participate in all activities provided by the farm including cleaning, maintenance and household chores. All participants will be expected to contribute to the daily chores and activities on the farm as any other member of the household. Other activities and events occur depending on the season (e.g. harvest festivals, foaling, or rodeos).
• Must be between the age of 20 and 28 (upon request, we may accept applicants younger than 20 or up to 30 years of age)
• Must have at least upper intermediate (7/10) English level
• Must have a travel insurance
• Some types of farms require specific experience, i.e. horseback riding (horse training/breeding farms require applicants with at least 5 years riding experience; exceptions on a case by case basis 
• In some cases the participant needs to undergo a phone interview with the Ranchstay supervisor and/or the farm family

APPLICATION:

Minimum 8-12 weeks prior to their proposed program start date. Short notice applications MAY be accepted on a case by case basis. Applications will be processed only when all required documents are received. Once the applicant is accepted, a letter of confirmation (LOC) will be sent.

DOCUMENTS NEEDED:

• Application form
• Program Policies
• Resume (in any form)
• Motivation letter in Word document; template attached (must include: characteristics/personality, experience relevant to Ranchstay, program objectives) THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT DOCUMENT!
• Horse questionnaire for candidates that want to stay on a farm with horses
• 2 references (if you have any)
• Copy of passport (picture page)
• 3-4 pictures in color (with animals, on vacation, with friends/family)
• A non refundable application fee of 200€ - it will then be deducted from the total amount 

PLACEMENT CONFIRMATION:

After the placement is confirmed, placement details will be sent. If candidates go directly to the farm, candidates will receive an arrival package/itinerary prior to departure.

POLICIES (abbreviated):

• After application – withhold application fee
• After phone interview with supervisor – withhold application fee + 50% of remaining total fees excluding weekly fee.
• After interview with farm is arranged - withhold application fee + 75% of remaining total fees excluding weekly fee
• After Placement is offered – No refund except for the weekly fee

Candidates who choose to shorten their Ranchstay program after they started the program are required to give 4 weeks written notice to the farm and to the organisation to qualify for a refund of the remaining weekly fee. Participants are only offered one placement; choices of location and/or type of farm are not guaranteed. Candidate can be dismissed by the farm and/or the organisation at any time for CAUSE (including poor performance, misrepresentation of skills/education, lack of punctuality, inability to perform required tasks, etc.)

MISCELLANEOUS:

• Participants are not permitted to receive any form of salary or remuneration (unless they have a work permit).
• Participants will pay a weekly fee to stay on the farm.
• The type of host farm may be requested in advance (e.g. horse farm, cattle ranch, guest farm, etc.) and although we attempt to cater to specific requests (e.g. the family must have a tractor; the family should have a minimum of 10 horses, etc.), We cannot guarantee the specific conditions of the farm experience. Certain farm availability also depends on individual participant experience (e.g. horse training or breeding farms require horse riding experience).
• In some instances, lodging may be in a temporary, detached structure such as a trailer or tent.
• Although most farms do have internet access, it is NOT always.
• Many farms are outside of areas covered by wireless telecommunication systems and cellular telephones may not work.
• Any personal belongings (including notebook computers or cellular telephones) are brought entirely at the participants’ risk.

Our Organization is built around people. People who want to explore new places and experience what the world has to offer. To truly understand what it means to live in today’s world, we believe that you need to gain real, practical experience in a foreign country and not just see through the eyes of a tourist. This has been the philosophy of our organization since we began in 1998 and is still what drives us today. Our mission is to promote personal success at all levels and facilitate the achievement of our participants, host organizations and staff through experiential programs fostering a cross-cultural understanding of a multi-cultural global community.